Republic Bank Apprentices better equipped to face the future

Upon completion of the eighth Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited Youth Link Apprenticeship Programme, thirty-one young men and women have emerged ready and equipped to face the world of work.

During the period October 19, 2015 to May 27, 2016, the Apprentices experienced the work environment. They were assigned across the Bank’s Branch Network and developed professionally and personally, gaining knowledge in office procedures, banking operations and computing.

They also engaged in the practical exercise of preparing a Business Proposal and benefitted from an Effective Presentation Session where they presented to a panel of judges on selected topics.

The Apprentices participated in a community outreach styled Youth Link Care-A-Van where they had a first-hand look at the work of the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre and enjoyed a period of interaction with the children. An interactive session on First Aid was facilitated by the Guyana Red Cross Society.

The Team had a day of fun and relaxation with a guided tour along the Essequibo River, which included stops at Fort Island, Fort Kyk-Over-Al and the Baganara Island Resort.

In addition to receiving a National Vocational Qualification Certificate as a Certified Bank Clerk issued by the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, this batch will also receive the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) from the Caribbean Association of National Training Agencies (CANTA). With this qualification the Apprentices will be eligible for jobs within the Caricom Region.

This new qualification is as a result of CANTA upgrading the Youth Link Apprenticeship Occupational Standard for Banking Operations – Level 1 to a Regional Occupational Standard (ROS).

The Graduation Ceremony was held at the Pegasus Hotel, Seawall Road, Kingston, Georgetown at 15:30h on June 20, 2016 where Mr. Marcel Hutson, Deputy Chief Education Officer (Development) delivered the Motivational Address.

The Special Performance Awards were presented as follows:

• Best All Rounder - Shamira Ramsuchit
• Best Business Proposal - Treshana Vancooten
• Most Disciplined Apprentice - Ashana Lakenarine
• Most Improved Apprentice - Jada Mc Lennan
• Most Effective Presentation - Shamira Ramsuchit
• Most Congenial Apprentice - Lancelot Barker

The Youth Link Apprenticeship Programme was first introduced in Guyana in 2008 primarily to bridge the gap between the end of the participants’ school life and the start of their career.